Asymmetrically-shaped isolator

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a novel system, device, and methods for providing an isolator for components and instrumentation to isolate vibrations, shock, static or quasi-static loads, thermal loads, and electrical currents. The novel isolator has an asymmetrical shape, experiences uniform motion under quasi-static loading, and reduces the effective modal mass across a range of frequencies. The novel isolator outperforms conventional vibration isolators in terms of cost, schedule (manufacturing time and lead time), heat dissipation, and performance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/636,139 filed Jun. 28, 2017, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,570,984, titled “ASYMMETRICALLY-SHAPED ISOLATOR”, whichis incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an isolator forcomponents and instrumentation to isolate vibrations, shocks, static orquasi-static loads, thermal loads, and electrical currents, and morespecifically to an asymmetrically-shaped isolation device thatexperiences uniform motion under quasi-static loading and thatdistributes the effective modal mass across a range of frequencies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mission success of spacecraft, aircraft, and rockets is dependent uponcomponents and instrumentation (collectively referred to as “components”herein) continuing to operate throughout an entire flight and beyonddeployment, for example, in the case of a satellite. But such componentsare often sensitive to launch and spacecraft dynamic environments. Thesedynamic environments can include vibrations having a wide range offrequencies and shocks, varying temperatures, and exposure to unintendedelectrical currents. The more severe the dynamic environment, the morecostly it can be to protect the components.

Previous attempts have been made to manufacture isolators that isolatecomponents from shock and vibrations. Such isolators may be found in,for example, spacecraft, aircraft, the automotive industry, andindustrial manufacturing. These previous isolators include: springs andelastomer isolators integrated in a chassis structure through nut andbolt connections, wire rope isolators that traditionally have a higherload capacity than elastomers, constrained layer dampeners, and tunedmass dampeners. Alternatively, the operation of an instrument orcomponent may be regularly adjusted and corrected to account for theeffects of a dynamic environment by using a co-located accelerometer orother sensor that provides feedback for purposes of making suchcorrections. Existing isolators include both passive and activeisolators. However, these prior art isolators are inadequate atisolating the component from a range of vibration frequencies—includinghigh and low frequencies—and typically do not isolate the component fromthermal loads and electrical currents. Some solutions include relocatingthe components to a different area of the vehicle or structure where thedynamic environment may be different and/or providing the componentsand/or isolators with a more robust design. One such solution is to adda dumb mass to an existing isolator and associated component subsystem.The dumb mass shifts or alters the characteristics of the system torespond differently and avoid targeted vibrations. Any weight, includingdumb mass weight, is costly in some industries, such as the aerospaceindustry where weight is limited. Therefore, adding extra weight likethe dumb mass can be a significant disadvantage. Other solutions useanalysis corrections to compensate for the unwanted environmentalfrequencies detected by the instrumentation.

Wire rope isolators use friction in the wire rope to help absorbvibration and energy. In some situations, wire rope isolators often usea series of wire rope loops where each loop is the same size and shape.Such devices only dampen one mode or a relatively narrow frequencyrange. Other wire rope isolators may include two or three differentlysized wire rope loops, and these isolators will only dampen two or threespecific modes or two or three narrow frequency ranges. Anotherdisadvantage is that wire rope will twist when configured into the finalisolator design, requiring adding an axial pin to prevent twisting andto compel axial movement, i.e., to keep the isolated component moving upand down in the axial direction. Wire rope isolators also include partsto secure the rope, axial pin, and any platform interconnected to theisolated component. Every extra part in an isolator is another part thatcan break, that adds extra weight, and that must be manufactured andassembled. Further, every additional part is another piece that canvibrate, rattle, or come loose and damage other components. Therefore,any extra part is a disadvantage of the isolator design. Wire ropeisolators are also difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to modify orcustomize.

Prior art isolators also tend to be symmetrical in design. The symmetryis often driven by manufacturability considerations. However, symmetrycan be a disadvantage. Symmetry in an isolator tends to enable greatereffective modal mass which provides a mechanism to drive loads into anisolated component, whereas an asymmetrical design according to aspectsof the present disclosure distributes effective modal mass and reducesloads experienced by an isolated component. Asymmetry can be introducedinto wire rope designs by the fact that the ends of the rope may need tobe tied, overlapped, or secured in a way that creates asymmetry, orwhere the wire strands used to construct the wire rope are non-uniform.But such modest asymmetry has little overall positive effect, is oftenan unintentional artifact of the manufacturing process, and is not adeliberate design choice.

Accordingly, there exists a significant and long-felt need for anisolation device that isolates vibrations, shocks, static loading,thermal loads, and electrical currents and that distributes theeffective modal mass across a broad range of frequencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a novel system, device, andmethods for providing an isolator that limits a component's exposure tovibration, shock, and static or quasi-static loads, and also limits thecomponent's exposure to thermal loads and electrical currents. The novelisolator described herein isolates the component from a range ofvibration frequencies and distributes the effective modal mass across arange of frequencies while maintaining uniform or substantially uniformdisplacement under static and quasi-static loading. The novel isolatoroutperforms conventional vibration isolators in terms of cost, schedule(manufacturing time and lead time), heat dissipation, electricalisolation, and performance.

The present invention was developed in the aerospace field, but isapplicable to and can be used in at least the aeronautical industry, theautomotive industry, and industrial processes and manufacturing.

Spacecraft are subjected to a broad range of potentially damagingenvironmental conditions during flight, including shock and vibration.As a result, spacecraft components experience vibrations and frequenciesthat can affect the instrumentation's operation, performance, and/oroutput. Embodiments of the present invention reduce vibration and othermechanical forces, and dissipate undesired thermal and electricalenergy, to enable more reliable flight measurements and instrumentoutput.

It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide anisolator that has a deliberate asymmetrical shape, as opposed to beingunintentionally, slightly asymmetrical due to the manufacturing process.Isolators according to embodiments of the present invention haveasymmetrical shapes comprised of multiple lobes, where the multiplelobes have a different shapes, sizes, weights, and/or densities. Eachlobe may be differently configured or groups of lobes may be differentlyconfigured. An isolator may have two or more lobes. As will be readilyunderstood upon a review of the present disclosure, additivemanufacturing is well suited to manufacturing the present isolators.

It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide anisolator that distributes the effective modal mass. The effective modalmass provides a method for judging the “significance” of a vibrationmode. Modes with relatively high effective masses can be readily excitedby base excitation. On the other hand, modes with low effective massesare less readily excited by the same base excitation. Generallyspeaking, for a given object, the first mode has a much higher effectivemodal mass than the second mode. Similarly, the second mode has a highereffective mass than the third mode, and so on. Thus, the first mode canbe readily excited by base excitation. The sum of the effective massesfor all of the modes equals the total system mass. For example,asymmetry in the isolator tends to distribute input energy (e.g., fromvibration, etc.) into more bands than a symmetrical design, which, inturn, reduces the loads experienced by the component interconnected toisolator across a wider range of frequencies that do not exceed athreshold that prohibits component function. Thus, at a given frequency,one or perhaps a few lobes are excited and the remaining lobes willremain generally static such that they are not materially participatingin or contributing to the oscillating motion. The excited lobes willdissipate energy without transferring the energy to the platform withthe isolated component, while the static (non-moving) lobes act asanti-nodes—the return of propagated energy or information occurs at justthe right time to cancel the propagated energy or information on thenon-moving lobes. By reducing the effective modal mass, the asymmetricaldesign more effectively isolates the component from harmful input energyacross a wider range of frequencies. While all lobes receive an energyinput (e.g., from the vibration), the energy does not affect all lobesequally, i.e., some lobes are excited, excited to different degrees,and/or some are not excited at all. Even if all of the lobes havedifferent effective resonant frequency ranges, all of the lobes could beoscillating at the same time because the component may be experiencingmultiple different vibrations with different frequencies at the sametime, such as in random vibration applications. Thus, the lobes usevelocity (i.e., oscillation) to dampen the vibrations. The lobes alsouse material friction and internal friction to absorb vibrations, whichmay be harmful to the component.

The “effective” frequency range is used because perfect tuning is notprecisely required since dynamic absorption occurs over a close matchingrange of about 5%. The tuned mass damper effect or dynamic absorptionwill occur when the frequency of a lobe approaches the system resonanceand at frequencies slightly above. Consider A+B, if A=20 Hz and B=20.3Hz, then A+B couples. If A=20 and B=33 then A and B remain uncoupled.For example, A may be the isolator system mode that can damage the part,and B may be the attachment mode of the specific lobe in consideration.

It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to providean isolator with different lobes, where the lobes distribute aneffective modal mass across different effective frequencies ranges. Forexample, one lobe may distribute an effective modal mass across a firsteffective frequency range, a second lobe may distribute an effectivemodal mass across a second effective frequency range, a third lobe maydistribute an effective modal mass across a third effective frequencyrange, and a fourth lobe may distribute an effective modal mass acrossthe fourth effective frequency range, etc. One or more lobes maydistribute the effective modal mass across the same effective frequencyrange or each lobe may distribute the effective modal mass acrossdifferent effective frequency ranges. The effective frequency ranges maybe discrete and not overlap at all or the effective frequency ranges mayoverlap. For example, the first effective frequency range may be betweenabout 75 Hz and about 125 Hz, the second effective frequency range maybe between about 175 Hz and about 225 Hz, and the third effectivefrequency range may be between about 275 Hz and about 325 Hz.Alternatively, the effective frequency ranges may be smaller, larger,and/or may overlap.

It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide anisolator that can be modified or created to target different frequenciesfor each application. For example, a microphone isolation applicationwill be different than an accelerometer which is different from acircuit board, etc. Therefore, in each application the resonancefrequencies of the isolated components can be targeted. It is not alwaystrivial to determine the resonance frequencies due to size limitations,cost, and time. However, because of the random nature of the asymmetryin the isolator, there is a better chance that the asymmetrical isolatorwill cover a resonance frequency experienced by the component over agiven frequency band than a symmetrical isolator with less resonancemodes.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide anisolator that maintains uniform static displacement and uniform motionunder static and quasi-static loading. In some embodiments, the isolatormaintains uniform static displacement within a circumferentiallyoriented lobe framework. The isolator experiences static deformation anduniform motion under static and quasi-static loading because eachasymmetrical lobe is designed and constructed to be staticallyequivalent to the other lobes under a predetermined static andquasi-static load. Uniform motion under static and quasi-static loadingenables the maximum amount of travel by the isolator, which is desired.Embodiments of the present invention outperform wire rope isolators inthis regard because wire rope isolators do not uniformly translate underquasi-static gravity loading because of the inherent twist associatedwith wrapping of the wire rope strands.

The instrumentation being isolated also may be sensitive to rotationalmotion. Gyroscopes for example are not sensitive to translations, butare sensitive to local rotations. In comparison, components isolated byembodiments of the present invention experience uniform translationwithout inducing torsion due to the uniform motion of the isolator understatic or quasi-static loading. For example, one embodiment comprisestwo spaced-apart, generally-parallel, planar platforms interconnected bya plurality of circumferentially oriented lobes. Because the lobes aredesigned to impart uniform displacement and motion on the upperplatform, to which the component or instrument is attached, thecomponent or instrument will experience uniform motion under static andquasi-static loading. By providing uniform motion—for example, uniformup and down motion—to the upper platform, the component or instrumentwill remain in its orientation without twisting or turning.Additionally, depending on the configuration, the lower platform mayalso need to experience uniform displacement along with the upperplatform, for example if the bottom of the platform and bottom of thelobes are not flush against a main securing structure. In that case, thelobes connected to lower platform would be designed also to provideuniform displacement under static and quasi-static loading.

Further, one aspect of embodiments of the present invention is toprovide an isolator that isolates higher frequency vibrations of higherorder modes through dynamic absorption of the asymmetrical lobes.Dynamic absorption is the process in which the resonance frequency ofcomponent A separately is matched by the resonance frequency ofcomponent B such that the resulting system coupling, A+B, reduces thedynamic amplification at the resonance frequency of component Aseparately due to the coupling of component B. The coupling of componentB alters the natural frequency of the previously separate component A,which dissipates the original resonance frequency response of componentA. Thus, potentially dangerous wave propagation in component A is“absorbed” by component B. For example, one lobe of the isolator mayisolate a first harmful frequency or mode by deforming in a first wayand having a first mode shape, and that same lobe may isolate a secondharmful frequency or a higher order mode by deforming in a second wayand having a second mode shape. Symmetrical isolator designs do not havethe flexibility to target as many frequencies through dynamicabsorption. Typically, the ideal frequencies to isolate are thosefrequencies that are harmful to the component.

Moreover, it is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention toprovide an isolator that has a reduced higher frequency response,meaning the isolator reduces the high frequency spikes seen on atransmissibility versus frequency graph. It is another aspect ofembodiments of the present invention to provide an isolator that canisolate low frequencies and high frequencies through dynamic absorption.Low frequencies tend to drive loads into big items, while highfrequencies tend to drive responses by small items because small itemscan move very fast considering they do not have much mass.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide anisolator that can also reduce thermal loads and that can isolatevibrations after experiencing high temperatures for long periods oftime. In one embodiment, the isolator has a silicone exterior coating.The coating serves at least two functions. The first is to seal theinherent out-gassing nature of elastomeric UV cured 3D printed dampingmaterials of one embodiment of the invention. The second purpose of thecoating is to decrease the isolators temperature on orbit by coating theisolator with white which is less absorbent than black on orbit of thesun's radiation. In another embodiment, the isolator is made ofsilicone. In still other embodiments, the isolator is made of anelastomeric rubber-like material, such as Stratasys TangoBlackPlus of 70durometer. Embodiments of the present invention include isolators thathave improved vibration isolation at higher temperatures. For example,in some embodiments the isolator becomes more gelatinous-like at highertemperatures and, therefore, performs better at higher temperaturesbecause the isolator is more absorbent when it is more gelatinous-like.Additionally, when the isolator is more gelatinous-like, there is not anadverse effect from the isolator bottoming-out (i.e., the upper platformhitting the bottom platform or structure) because when the isolator isin this gelatinous state, the absorbency of vibrations is improved andthe vibrations resulting from bottoming-out does not damage thecomponent.

Traditionally, elastomeric material is generally more sensitive tothermal loads than wire rope, which means that wire rope isolatorsnormally perform better than elastomeric isolators at high temperatures.Therefore, it was an unexpected result that elastomeric isolators of thepresent invention performed well at high temperatures. In fact, theelastomeric isolators according to the present disclosure out performedwire rope isolators even at high temperatures where elastomericisolators traditionally do not perform well. Traditional elastomericmaterial isolators also have a higher mass-to-load ratio than wire ropeisolators, meaning greater weight density, which is not ideal foraerospace applications where additional weight is expensive. Further,traditional elastomeric material isolators can wear faster than wirerope isolators and may need to be replaced more often. Therefore, it wasnot an obvious design choice to make an isolator according to aspects ofthe present disclosure from an elastomeric material.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide anisolator that isolates electrical currents; elastomeric materials arepoor conductors and are better suited to prevent transmission ofelectric currents.

One aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide anisolator that is cheap and quick to manufacture. Typically, items aremanufactured with a symmetrical shape because it is often easier andcheaper to manufacture symmetrical items. However, embodiments of thepresent invention are asymmetrically shaped. Therefore, it is an aspectof embodiments of the present invention to provide anasymmetrically-shaped isolator that is cheap and quick to manufacture.For example, the isolator may be manufactured using additivemanufacturing (i.e., 3D printing), significantly reducing the cost tomanufacture as compared to traditional manufacturing methods. The reasonfor this result is that with 3D printing complexity comes at no extracost. Moreover, isolators of the prior art include many parts, whereasisolators according to the present disclosure are a single piece.Additionally, isolators made according to the present disclosure have alead time to manufacture measured in hours as compared to the prior artisolators, which have a lead time to manufacture that can be monthslong.

One aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide anisolator where the isolated component is positioned on the exterior ofthe isolator. Having the isolated component exterior to (rather than onthe interior of) the isolator permits easy access to the component andallows the user to easily switch out the isolated component as needed.Additionally, if the component is located on the interior of theisolator, then the isolator typically requires a box mounting, which isheavy and requires more space than embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Because the isolators of the present disclosure arerelatively small, multiple isolators can be used to isolate one largecomponent. For example, one isolator could be positioned on each cornerof a large box that needs isolation. However, internal locatedembodiments exist usually with the intent of exploiting center ofgravity (CG) or center of geometry (CG) offsets.

One aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide acustomizable isolator that can be modified and customized for eachapplication. The isolator of the present invention can be easily testedand modified based on the test results. Additionally, the modificationsare inexpensive and quick to make using additive manufacturing. Thecustom fit will also reduce chatter or vibrations induced from prior artinterconnection mechanisms not perfectly fitting the isolatedcomponents.

A further aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide aone-piece integral isolator. A one-piece design reduces the part countand eliminates attachment hardware that can rattle and increasevibrations. In some embodiments, the isolator is all the same material.In other embodiments, the lobes and/or platform could be differentmaterials, but the isolator would still be one piece. Additionally,traditional elastomeric isolators and wire rope isolators typically usea metallic attachment structure with a higher Q than an integralisolator design. Q is the quality factor for isolators and Q=(ωM)/b,where ω is the natural resonant frequency, b is the damping, and Mis theisolated component. Decreasing Q reduces the response of the isolatedcomponent at all frequencies. Therefore, a lower Q means the isolatedcomponent will experience less vibrations and will come to rest quicker.

It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide anisolator that can be scaled to isolate small components (e.g., smallelectronic components), large components (e.g., humans, satellites,etc.), and components of in between sizes and shapes. As such, anynumber of lobes can be used and the lobes can be positioned between thetwo platforms like columns or extending from the outer edges of theplatforms. Moreover, the lobes may have hard internal structures (e.g.,a metal or other hard material endoskeleton) with external coatings orsleeves comprised of the damping material.

It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present invention toprovide an isolator that operates effectively in the typical operatingrange (i.e., P95/50 or P99/90 statistical confidence levels) and thatperforms well in severe and/or unpredictable environments. Prior artaerospace isolators are designed to P95/50 or P99/90 statisticalconfidence levels, which degrades the performance of the isolatorbecause the damping material must be stiffened to support 6 sigma(P99/90) loading at the cost of damping performance through elastic heatabsorption. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention do notsacrifice damping performance in order to perform at P99/90 statisticalconfidence levels. For example, the isolator may have lobes that arepositioned and designed to interfere with or contact one another whentotal loading is sufficient. Total load is a combination of quasi-staticloading plus dynamic loading. The first mode of the structure is arocking or bounce mode that drives the majority of the dynamicdisplacement. Quasi-static loading is loading that is approximatelyconstant at some time during flight.

In some embodiments, the isolator has a radial, planer shape withdifferently shaped and sized lobes that extend radially outward from acenter of the isolator. The isolator has a platform at the center of theisolator. In additional embodiments, the isolator can have an upperplatform and a lower platform at the center of the isolator and eachlobe is connected to both the upper platform and the lower platform. Theisolator could also have three platforms where some lobes are connectedto the first and second platforms, some lobes are connected to thesecond and third platforms, and other lobes are connected to the firstand third platforms. It is possible that the lobes could interfere withone another as they are moving, but the circumferential or radial spaceddesign minimizes the amount of interference between lobes. The lobes maybe equally spaced apart from one another or can be spaced at differentintervals around the circumference of the isolator center. The distancebetween the lobes can be measured in degrees as angles measured from thecenter point of the isolator.

When compared to prior art isolators, embodiments of the presentinvention had the lowest overall transmissibility under MaximumPredicted Environment (“MPE”) conditions. The temperature of isolatorsaccording to the present invention only increased 2 degrees when at MPEplus 6 decibels (+6 dB), whereas the temperature of two prior art,conventional isolators increased 10 degrees when at MPE+6 dB.Embodiments of the present invention isolator were also tested withweight at MPE+6 dB and at high temperatures, 150° F. At hightemperatures, the isolator of the present invention maintained stabilityand consistent transmissibility. Further, even when the presentinvention isolator bottomed out due to thermal heating, the isolator didnot fail and actually maintained consistent transmissibility. Theisolator of the present invention also had regional heat dissipation ascompared to local heat dissipation of isolators of the prior art.

Isolators according to embodiments of the present invention reduce loadsto components by asymmetry, which reduces the modal mass at discretefrequencies so any component placed on the isolator has a better chanceof avoiding harmful resonances.

Isolators according to embodiments of the present invention also reduceloads to components by dynamic absorption of the lobes because the lobescan be tailored to dynamically absorb sensitive frequencies ofcomponents. For example, consider a component that is sensitive at 100Hz and 200 Hz. Half the lobes could be tuned to 100 Hz and half of thelobes tuned to 200 Hz so they dynamically absorb two discretefrequencies. A symmetric design could only target one frequency. In theexample just stated, the resultant system coupling, i.e., when you boltthe isolated part on the isolator, would now have four resonances atapproximately ˜90 Hz, ˜110 Hz, ˜180 Hz, and −220 Hz. The modal mass at100 Hz and 200 Hz was distributed to more bands so you have moreresonances, but they are likely below an operable threshold that is nolonger detrimental to the isolated component's operation. In the case ofinstrumentation isolation, the impacts are in the transducers noisefloor.

Further, isolators according to embodiments of the present inventionreduce loads to components by material damping.

And isolators according to embodiments of the present invention reduceloads to components by geometrical damping through the loads that causewaves to change directions, which cause displacement, which exercise thematerial, and which dampens the response. This applies to shockapplications.

Methods of manufacturing an isolator according to embodiments of thepresent invention are also provided herein. In one embodiment, anasymmetrically-shaped isolator is provided comprising two or more lobes,where each lobe has a different resonant frequency. In anotherembodiment, each lobe has a different shape, size, density, and/orweight. In another embodiment, the lobes have the same staticdisplacement under a given static or quasi-static load.

The first step in designing an isolator according to aspects of thepresent disclosure is to identify the component to isolate. Then theconditions the component will experience (e.g., vibration frequency,temperatures, shock sizes, etc.) are identified. The size of theisolator and the number of lobes is determined by the shape, size, andweight of the component and by the conditions the component willexperience. For example, certain lobes of the isolator may need to beshorter to accommodate a long component (e.g., a microphone) or a largerisolator may be needed for larger components or multiple small isolatorscan be used with the large component. Additionally, heavier componentswill need heavier isolators because a dynamic absorber isolator shouldhave at least 10% of the component's mass. If the isolator does not havea mass that is 10% of the component's mass, then a dumb weight will beadded to the isolator. Additionally, if ten or more different vibrationfrequencies will be experienced, then the isolator will likely need morethan two different lobes and will probably need more than five differentlobes. The lobes' shapes and sizes are determined by starting with onelobe design that is feasible and that will isolate one of the vibrationfrequencies experienced by the component. Then design perturbations ofthe lobe (i.e., other lobes with different shapes, sizes, weights,densities, etc.) that have the same static displacement, as measuredfrom the first end of the lobe, as the first lobe. Differentcombinations (i.e., shapes, weights, sizes, etc.) and thicknesses oflobes should be tested or modeled to see which lobes have the samestatic displacement as the first lobe. Additionally, each different lobeshould perform differently under different modes or frequencies. Eachstatic load should make the isolator and lobes experience uniformdisplacement from quasi static loading, i.e., all of the lobes willexperience the same amount of displacement. An isolator with uniformdisplacement under quasi static loading is ideal because it will performbetter than isolators without uniform displacement under static loadingat low frequencies. The goal is also to maximize the displacement of theisolator, or the displacement of the upper platform with the componentin some embodiments.

In one embodiment, an isolator is provided comprising: a first platformhaving an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter extendingbetween the outer and inner surfaces; an interconnection memberextending from the outer surface of the first platform and configured tointerconnect with a component to be isolated from vibration; a secondplatform having an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeterextending between the outer and inner surfaces, the second platformspaced from the first platform with the inner surface of the secondplatform facing the inner surface of the first platform; and a pluralityof lobes having a first end and a second end, the first endinterconnected to the first platform, the second end connected to thesecond platform and wherein the plurality of lobes extends radially awayfrom the first and second platforms, the plurality of lobes selectedfrom the group comprising: a first open loop having U-shaped curvedportion proximate the first platform, a first linear portion, and asecond linear portion disposed substantially perpendicular to the firstlinear portion and disposed proximate the second platform; a second openloop having a first linear portion disposed proximate the firstplatform, a second linear portion disposed substantially perpendicularto the first linear portion, and a U-shaped portion disposed proximatethe second platform; a third open loop having a U-shaped portion; afourth open loop having a first U-shaped portion disposed proximate thefirst platform, a second U-shaped portion disposed proximate the secondplatform, and a first linear portion disposed between the first andsecond U-shaped portions; and a fifth open loop having a first linearportion disposed proximate the first platform, a second linear portiondisposed proximate the second platform and oriented substantiallyparallel to the first linear portion, and a third linear portiondisposed between the first and second linear portions and orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the first and second linear portions; andwherein the first platform, second platform, and the plurality of lobesare one piece.

In additional embodiments, the first and second platforms and pluralityof lobes are made from a polymer; the first and second platforms aresubstantially parallel; and/or each lobe in the plurality of lobes has auniform thickness. In some embodiments, a first lobe in the plurality oflobes comprises: a first curved portion extending outwardly from thefirst end; a first substantially linear portion extending substantiallyvertically and upwardly from the first curved portion; a second curvedportion extending outwardly from the first substantially linear portion;a second substantially linear portion extending substantially verticallyand downwardly from the second curved portion; a third curved portionextending inwardly from the second substantially linear portion andinterconnected to the second end of the first lobe; and wherein theuppermost portion of the first lobe extends a height above the uppersurface of the upper platform. In further embodiments, the first curvedportion of the first lobe has a first radius of curvature, the secondcurved portion of the first lobe has a second radius of curvature, andthe third curved portion of the first lobe has a third radius ofcurvature, and wherein the second radius of curvature is the same as thethird radius of curvature. Additionally, a second lobe in the pluralityof lobes comprises: a first substantially linear portion extendingsubstantially horizontally and outwardly from the first end; a firstcurved portion extending outwardly from the first substantially linearportion; a second substantially linear portion extending substantiallyvertically and downwardly from the first curved portion; a second curvedportion extending inwardly from the second substantially linear portion;a third substantially linear portion extending substantiallyhorizontally and inwardly from the second curved portion andinterconnected to the second end of the second lobe; and wherein theuppermost portion of the first lobe extends a height above the uppersurface of the upper platform. In some embodiments, the first end of thefirst lobe and the first end of the second lobe displace substantiallythe same distance when a predetermined quasi-static load is applied tothe isolator. In other embodiments, the first lobe is positioned at anangle relative to the second lobe between about 30 degrees and about 180degrees. In still further embodiments, the isolator further comprises athird lobe extending radially outwardly from the upper platform and thelower platform, the third lobe comprising: a first end interconnected tothe outer perimeter of the upper platform; a second end interconnectedto the outer perimeter of the lower platform; and a third shape having:a height measured from an uppermost portion of the third lobe to alowermost portion of the third lobe; a width of the third lobe; a radialdistance measured from the first end of the third lobe to a radialoutermost portion of the third lobe; and a substantially uniformthickness of the third lobe; wherein the third shape is different thanthe first shape and the second shape in at least two of height, width,radial distance, and thickness. Moreover, the width of the first lobe issubstantially uniform, the width of the second lobe is substantiallyuniform, and the width of the third lobe is substantially uniform. Invarious embodiments, the first lobe has a first effective resonantfrequency range, the second lobe has a second effective resonantfrequency range, and the third lobe has a third effective resonantfrequency range, wherein the first effective resonant frequency range isdifferent than the second effective resonant frequency range and thethird effective resonant frequency range, and wherein the secondeffective resonant frequency range is different than the third effectiveresonant frequency range. In further embodiments, the first lobe reducesan effective modal mass at a first frequency, the second lobe reducesthe effective modal mass at a second frequency, and the third lobereduces the effective modal mass at a third frequency. Additionally, thefirst lobe distributes an effective modal mass across a first frequencyrange, the second lobe distributes the effective modal mass across asecond frequency range, and the third lobe distributes the effectivemodal mass across a third frequency range. In some embodiments, theisolator further comprises an endoskeleton structure and a dampingmaterial positioned around the endoskeleton structure.

In one embodiment, an isolator for isolating a component is provided,comprising: a first platform having an upper surface, a lower surface,and a perimeter extending between the upper and lower surfaces; aninterconnection member extending from the upper surface of the firstplatform and configured to interconnect with the component to beisolated from vibration; a second platform having an upper surface, alower surface, and a perimeter extending between the upper and lowersurfaces, the second platform spaced from the first platform with theupper surface of the second platform facing the lower surface of thefirst platform and with the upper surface of the second platformsubstantially parallel to the lower surface of the first platform; and aplurality of lobes having a first end interconnected to the perimeter ofthe first platform and a second end interconnected to the perimeter ofthe second platform, wherein the plurality of lobes extends radiallyaway from the first and second platforms, and wherein each lobe in theplurality of lobes dynamically absorbs a different frequency.

In additional embodiments, at least one lobe in the plurality of lobeshas a non-uniform cross-section and at least one lobe in the pluralityof lobes is comprised of two or more materials.

In one embodiment, an isolator for isolating a component is providedconsisting essentially of: an upper platform having an outer perimeterand an upper surface; an interconnection mechanism extending upwardlyfrom the upper surface of the upper platform and interconnected to thecomponent; a lower platform having an outer perimeter and positionedsubstantially parallel to the upper platform; a first lobe extendingradially outwardly from the upper platform and the lower platform, thefirst lobe including: a first end interconnected to the outer perimeterof the upper platform; a second end interconnected to the outerperimeter of the lower platform; and a first shape having: a heightmeasured from an uppermost portion of the first lobe to a lowermostportion of the first lobe; a width of the first lobe; and a radialdistance measured from the first end of the first lobe to a radialoutermost portion of the first lobe; a second lobe extending radiallyoutwardly from the upper platform and the lower platform, the secondlobe including: a first end interconnected to the outer perimeter of theupper platform; a second end interconnected to the outer perimeter ofthe lower platform; and a second shape having: a height measured from anuppermost portion of the second lobe to a lowermost portion of thesecond lobe; a width of the second lobe; and a radial distance asmeasured from the first end of the second lobe to a radial outermostportion of the second lobe; a third lobe extending radially outwardlyfrom the upper platform and the lower platform, the third lobeincluding: a first end interconnected to the outer perimeter of theupper platform; a second end interconnected to the outer perimeter ofthe lower platform; and a third shape having: a height measured from anuppermost portion of the third lobe to a lowermost portion of the thirdlobe; a width of the third lobe; and a radial distance measured from thefirst end of the third lobe to a radial outermost portion of the thirdlobe; a fourth lobe extending radially outwardly from the upper platformand the lower platform, the fourth lobe including: a first endinterconnected to the outer perimeter of the upper platform; a secondend interconnected to the outer perimeter of the lower platform; and afourth shape having: a height measured from an uppermost portion of thefourth lobe to a lowermost portion of the fourth lobe; a width of thefourth lobe; and a radial distance as measured from the first end of thefourth lobe to a radial outermost portion of the fourth lobe; and afifth lobe extending radially outwardly from the upper platform and thelower platform, the fifth lobe including: a first end interconnected tothe outer perimeter of the upper platform; a second end interconnectedto the outer perimeter of the lower platform; and a fifth shape having:a height measured from an uppermost portion of the fifth lobe to alowermost portion of the fifth lobe; a width of the fifth lobe; and aradial distance as measured from the first end of the fifth lobe to aradial outermost portion of the fifth lobe; wherein the first shape isdifferent than the second, third, fourth, and fifth shapes in at leastone of height, width, and radial distance.

In one embodiment, an isolator is provided comprising: a first platformhaving an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter extendingbetween the outer and inner surfaces; a second platform having an outersurface, an inner surface and a perimeter extending between the outerand inner surfaces, the second platform spaced from the first platformwith the inner surface of the second platform facing the inner surfaceof the first platform; a first lobe having a first end interconnected tothe inner surface of the first platform and a second end interconnectedto the inner surface of the second platform; a second lobe having afirst end interconnected to the inner surface of the first platform anda second end interconnected to the inner surface of the second platform;wherein the first and second lobes are comprised at least partially of adamping material; wherein the first and second lobes displace an equalamount when experiencing an equal force; and wherein the first platform,second platform, and the plurality of lobes are one piece.

In additional embodiments, the isolator further comprises a third lobehaving a first end and a second end, the first end interconnected to theperimeter of the first platform, the second end interconnected to theperimeter of the second platform, and wherein the third lobe extendsradially away from the first and second platforms. In some embodiments,the first lobe has a shape selected from the group consisting of asphere, an egg, a C-shaped column, and an ear. In various embodiments,when the isolator experiences sufficient loading a portion of the firstlobe contacts a portion of the second lobe.

In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an isolator for isolating acomponent is provided comprising: forming a first platform having anouter perimeter and an upper surface; forming an interconnectionmechanism integrally with the first platform, the interconnectionmechanism extending upwardly from the upper surface of the firstplatform for interconnecting to the component; forming a second platformhaving an outer perimeter and positioned substantially parallel to thefirst platform; forming a plurality of lobes integrally with the firstplatform and the second platform; wherein each lobe extends radiallyoutwardly from the outer perimeter of the first platform and extendsradially outwardly from the outer perimeter of the second platform; andwherein each lobe has a different shape, the shape comprising: a heightas measured from an uppermost portion of the lobe to a lowermost portionof the lobe; a width of the lobe; a radial distance as measured from theouter perimeter of the first platform to a radial outermost portion ofthe lobe; and a substantially uniform thickness of the lobe.

In further embodiments, the method of manufacturing further comprisesdesigning a first lobe in the plurality of lobes to have a first shapeand a first size such that the first lobe dynamically absorbs a firstfrequency and deflects a predetermined distance when under aquasi-static load. In some embodiments, the first lobe deflects withoutrigid body rotation. In further embodiments, the method of manufacturingfurther comprises designing shapes and sizes of remaining lobes in theplurality of lobes such that the remaining lobes will dynamically absorbdifferent frequencies than the first lobe and the remaining lobes willdeflect the same predetermined distance as the first lobe when under aquasi-static load. The method may also include using additivemanufacturing to form the first platform, the interconnection mechanism,the lower platform, and the plurality of lobes. Further, the formingsteps occur simultaneously. In various embodiments, the plurality oflobes comprises four lobes or plurality of lobes comprises eight lobes.In some embodiments, each lobe in the plurality of lobes has a differentresonant frequency range; each lobe in the plurality of lobes ispositioned at an angle relative another lobe between about 30 degreesand about 90 degrees; and/or each lobe in the plurality of lobes has afirst end interconnected to the outer perimeter of the first platformand a second end interconnected to the outer perimeter of the lowerplatform. Further, when the isolator is exposed to a predeterminedquasi-static load, the first end of each lobe in the plurality of lobesis displaced a substantially uniform distance. Alternatively, the firstend of each lobe in the plurality of lobes is positioned above andaligned with the second end of each lobe in the plurality of lobes. Inan additional embodiment, the plurality of lobes, the first platform,and the lower platform are one piece.

For purposes of further disclosure, the following references generallyrelated to isolators are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,998 to Keetch (“Keetch”), which discloses anisolator with elastomeric loops formed of end walls; Keetch, however,positions the loops in a series, meaning that the loops are verticallystacked instead of in a horizontal plane like the present invention;

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0123422 to Keinanen et al., whichdiscloses a self-tuned mass damper with three differently sized springwires to dampen three different frequencies;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,689 to Lantero, which discloses a shock absorberwith cables wound in three different manners/shapes to increase theshock absorption;

Russian Patent No. SU 1395867 to Antipov et al., which discloses a shockand vibration isolator that uses cables positioned in an asymmetricalshape;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,390 issued to Sciulli et al. on Oct. 24, 2000, whichdiscloses an isolator using constrained layer damping and electricalloads and piezoceramic wafers;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,322,379 issued to Flannelly on May 30, 1967, whichdiscloses a dynamic anti-resonant vibration isolator that is a tunedmass damper;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,680 issued to Edberg et al. on Jun. 11, 2000, whichdiscloses a passive lateral vibration isolation system with a lobe/jointconstruction for a spacecraft launch vehicle; and

U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,179 issued to Miller, III et al. on May 8, 2007,which discloses a low acceleration sensitivity microphone.

For purposes of further disclosure, the following references generallyrelated to asymmetrically-shaped isolators are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,379 issued to Nolan on Jun. 17, 1969;

U.S. Pat. No. 8,262,068 issued to Monson et al. on Sep. 11, 2012;

European Patent No. EP 2,639,476 to Axel et al. published on Sep. 18,2013;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,913 issued to Lawrence et al. on Sep. 7, 1965; and

U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,827 issued to Taylor on Feb. 12, 1991.

For purposes of further disclosure, the following references generallyrelated to an isolator using wire rope are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties:

PCT Patent Publication No. WO 2013/153173 to Sebert SchwingungstechnikGmbH published on Oct. 17, 2013;

European Patent No. EP 1,666,760 issued to Enidine Inc. on Jun. 7, 2006;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,002,588 issued to Vos et al. on Dec. 14, 1999;

U.S. Pat. No. 8,640,593 issued to Hazan on Feb. 4, 2014;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,011 issued to Kosar et al. on Jun. 18, 2002;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,579 issued to Latvis, Jr. on Jun. 12, 2001; and

U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,185 issued to Sebert Schwingungstechnik GmbH on Dec.4, 2007.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein,are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, Band C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “oneor more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B andC together.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities,dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about”.

The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more ofthat entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereofherein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,”“comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be usedinterchangeably herein.

It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means”shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and allof the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or actsand the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in thesummary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detaileddescription, abstract, and claims themselves.

These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of theinvention(s) contained herein. The above-described embodiments,objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. TheSummary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construedas being representative of the full extent and scope of the presentinvention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention”or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments ofthe present invention and should not necessarily be construed aslimiting all embodiments to a particular description. The presentinvention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of theInvention as well as in the attached drawings and the DetailedDescription and no limitation as to the scope of the present inventionis intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements,components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects ofthe present invention will become more readily apparent from theDetailed Description, particularly when taken together with thedrawings.

The above-described benefits, embodiments, and/or characterizations arenot necessarily complete or exhaustive, and in particular, as to thepatentable subject matter disclosed herein. Other benefits, embodiments,and/or characterizations of the present disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, as set forth above and/or describedin the accompanying figures and/or in the description herein below.However, the Detailed Description, the drawing figures, and theexemplary claims set forth herein, taken in conjunction with thisSummary of the Invention, define the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following descriptionis merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, which may beapplied in various ways to provide many different alternativeembodiments. This description is made for illustrating the generalprinciples of the teachings of this invention and is not meant to limitthe inventive concepts disclosed herein.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the general description of the invention given above andthe detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explainthe principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the isolator;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the isolator;

FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of a lobe of an isolator;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of a lobe of an isolator;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of a lobe of an isolator;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a lobe of an isolator;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the isolator;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the isolator;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the isolator;

FIG. 10 shows the first mode shape of the isolator;

FIG. 10A shows the excited lobe of FIG. 10 before it was excited andafter it was excited;

FIG. 11 shows the second mode shape of the isolator;

FIG. 11A shows the excited lobe of FIG. 11 before it was excited andafter it was excited;

FIG. 12 shows one lobe before a load is introduced and the same lobeunder quasi-static loading;

FIG. 13 shows another lobe before a load is introduced and the same lobeunder quasi-static loading;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of an isolator;

FIG. 15A is a side elevation view of an isolator for a large item;

FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of an isolator for a large item;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of an isolator in its staticstate;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the portion of the isolator of FIG. 16damping vibrations at the point where the lobes interfere with oneanother;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a portion of an isolator in itsstatic state;

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the portion of the isolator of FIG.18 damping vibrations at the point where the lobes interfere with oneanother; and

FIG. 20 is a buckling lobe comparison graph.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and various dimensions may bealtered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for anunderstanding of the invention or that render other details difficult toperceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, thatthe invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description ofnumerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legalscope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forthat the end of this disclosure. The detailed description is to beconstrued as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment since describing every possible embodiment would beimpractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments couldbe implemented, using either current technology or technology developedafter the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within thescope of the claims.

The orientation and directions as used herein are relative to thedrawings as illustrated. Therefore, it should be appreciated that theterms “above,” “below,” “top,” “bottom,” “horizontal,” or “vertical,”are used to describe the relative location of different parts of theisolator (e.g., the lobes or platforms) and are intended to include notonly a vertical or horizontal alignment. Specifically, following launch,the position of the spacecraft may no longer remain vertical but mayhave other orientations. Thus, the isolator may be oriented differentlyin flight, but the relative position of the isolator is as described.Thus, the isolator may be in the position shown in the figures when inthe launch configuration, or the isolator may be turned 90 degrees, orany other angle between 0 and 360 degrees, when in the launchconfiguration.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the isolator 4according to aspects of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a sideperspective view of the isolator 4. The isolator 4 comprises an upperplatform 8 (also called a “first platform” or a “platform” herein), anda lower platform 12 (also called a “second platform” or a “platform”herein), each with an upper surface 16, 20 and a lower surface (notshown). The upper surface 16 of the upper platform 8 is also called theouter surface 16 and the lower surface of the upper platform 8 is alsocalled the inner surface because they are oriented outwardly andinwardly, respectively. The upper surface 20 of the lower platform 12 isalso called the inner surface 20 and the lower surface of the lowerplatform 12 is also called the outer surface because they are orientedinwardly and outwardly, respectively. In some embodiments, the upperplatform 8 is parallel to the lower platform 12, while in otherembodiments the upper 8 and lower 12 platforms are not parallel. Theupper and lower platforms 8, 12 can be the same size, shape, andthickness. In the embodiment shown, the upper platform 8 is the sameshape (i.e., circular) as the lower platform 12, but the lower platform12 has a larger diameter than the upper platform 8 and is, therefore,larger than the upper platform 8. The upper platform 8 can be acircular, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, triangular,or ovoid shape or any other shape. The lower platform 12 can be acircular, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, triangular,or football shape or any other shape and may be the same shape as theupper platform 8 or a different shape than the upper platform 8.

The upper surface 16 of the upper platform 8 has a perimeter edge 24extending around the perimeter of the upper surface 16. The upperplatform 8 has an outer perimeter (also called a “perimeter surface” or“perimeter” herein) 28 extending around the perimeter of the upperplatform 8 and extending from the perimeter edge 24 of the upper surface16 to the perimeter edge (not shown) of the lower surface. The outerperimeter 28 may be a side surface interconnecting an upper surface 16and a lower surface of the upper platform 8. The perimeter surface 28has a curved shape and extends outwardly from the upper surface 16 andlower surface of the upper platform 8. In other embodiments, the upperplatform 8 perimeter surface 28 may be straight instead of curved andmay be perpendicular to the upper 16 and lower surfaces or the perimetersurface 28 may be faceted. The upper platform 8 has a thickness asmeasured from the upper surface 16 to the lower surface. In someembodiments, the thickness of the upper platform 8 is substantially thesame across the upper platform 8 and the upper surface 16 issubstantially parallel to the lower surface. In other embodiments, theupper platform 8 thickness varies across the upper platform 8. The uppersurface 16 and lower surface of the upper platform 8 may besubstantially flat and smooth and may be oriented in a horizontal plane.Other embodiments may have surface features such as divots, bumps, orgrooves in the upper surface 16 and/or lower surface of the upperplatform 8. The upper platform 8 may be a solid piece without aperturesor the upper platform 8 may have one or more apertures or slotsextending from the upper surface 16 to the lower surface. The upperplatform 8 can be solid across its thickness or can have a hollowinterior.

An interconnection mechanism 40 (also called an “interconnection member”herein) extends upwardly from the upper surface 16 of the upper platform8. The function of the interconnection mechanism 40 is to interconnectto and securely hold the component being isolated. The interconnectionmechanism 40 can be any shape depending upon the component or instrumentbeing isolated. For example, the interconnection mechanism 40 may have arectangular shape with a circular aperture 44 extending from the frontsurface 48 (which can be substantially vertical) through to the backsurface (which can be substantially vertical) and the circular aperture44 may be sized to hold a microphone or other cylindrically-shapedcomponent. In another example, the component may be a gyroscope in whichcase, the interconnection mechanism 40 may differ compared to that usedwith a microphone. Thus, the aperture 44 can have various shapes andsizes depending on the component being isolated.

The upper surface 20 of the lower platform 12 has a perimeter edge 52extending around the perimeter of the upper surface 20. The lowerplatform 12 has an outer perimeter (also called a “perimeter surface” or“perimeter” herein) 56 extending around the perimeter of the lowerplatform 12 and extending from the perimeter edge 52 of the uppersurface 20 to the perimeter edge (not shown) of the lower surface. Theouter perimeter 56 may be a side surface interconnecting an uppersurface 20 and a lower surface of the lower platform 12. The perimetersurface 56 has a curved shape and extends outwardly from the uppersurface 20 and lower surface of the lower platform 12. In otherembodiments, the lower platform 12 perimeter surface 56 may be straightinstead of curved and may be perpendicular to the upper and lowersurfaces or the perimeter surface 56 may be faceted. The lower platform12 has a thickness as measured from the upper surface 20 to the lowersurface. In some embodiments, the thickness of the lower platform 12 issubstantially the same across the lower platform 12 and the uppersurface 20 is substantially parallel to the lower surface. In otherembodiments, the lower platform 12 thickness varies across the lowerplatform 12. The upper platform 8 and lower platform 12 can have thesame thickness in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the lowerplatform 12 is thicker or thinner than the upper platform 8. The uppersurface 20 and lower surface of the lower platform 12 may besubstantially flat and smooth and may be oriented in a horizontal plane.Other embodiments may have surface features such as divots, bumps, orgrooves in the upper surface 20 and/or lower surface of the lowerplatform 12. The lower platform 12 can be solid across its thickness orcan have a hollow interior. The lower platform 12 may be a solid piecewithout apertures or the lower platform 12 may have one or moreapertures or slots 58 extending from the upper surface 20 to the lowersurface. The purpose of the lower platform 12 is to transition load fromthe isolated component to the structure, vehicle, or rocket to which theisolator 4 is secured. The lower platform 12 should use as littlematerial as possible to reduce the weight of the isolator 4. Thus, thelower platform 12 has an aperture 58 to minimize the amount of materialneeded to form the lower platform 12. In the embodiment shown, the lowerplatform 12 has a center aperture 58 with an inner perimeter 60. Theinner perimeter 60 may be curved, flat, or faceted. Additionally, thelower platform 12 has one or more attachment mechanisms 64 forinterconnecting the isolator 4 to a structure. The attachment mechanisms64 may extend outwardly from the outer perimeter 56 of the lowerplatform 12 or extending inwardly from the inner perimeter 60 of thecenter aperture 58. The attachment mechanism 64 can include one or moreapertures 68 to receive one or more fastening devices such as screws,bolts, nails, rivets, or pins. The fastening device interconnects theisolator 4 to the structure.

The isolator 4 includes two or more lobes 80 extending radiallyoutwardly from and interconnecting the upper platform 8 and the lowerplatform 12. The embodiment shown has eight lobes (collectively referredto as component numeral 80, individually referred to as componentnumeral 80A, 80B, 80C, 80D,80E, 80F, 80G, 80H); however, any number oflobes 80 could be used depending on the size of the component to beisolated. A higher number of lobes 80 (e.g., over ten lobes 80) createsstress on the isolator 4 in specific points. Therefore, the ideal numberof lobes 80 for smaller components is between about three lobes 80 andabout ten lobes 80. For larger components—e.g., a 30- to 100-poundflight box, a seat for a passenger, or a satellite—the isolator 4 mayhave hundreds of lobes 80 including internal lobes 80. As discussedbelow, the shape of the lobes 80 may vary.

Each lobe 80 has a first end 84 integrally extending from the outerperimeter 28 of the upper platform 8 and a second end 88 integrallyextending from the outer perimeter 56 of the lower platform 12. Thelobes 80 extend radially outwardly from the first end 84 and radiallyoutwardly from the second end.

For the purposes of explaining, FIGS. 3-6 show side views of variousembodiments of isolator 4 lobes 80. The shapes of the lobes 80 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3-6. For example, some lobes 80A (FIG.3) have an open loop having a U-shaped curved portion 100 proximate thefirst platform 8, a first linear portion 104, and a second linearportion 112 substantially perpendicular to the first linear portion 104and positioned proximate the second platform. Other lobes 80 have anopen loop having a first linear portion 124 disposed proximate the firstplatform 8, a second linear portion 104 substantially perpendicular tothe first linear portion 124, and a U-shaped curved portion 100proximate the second platform 12. Further lobes 80G (FIG. 5) have anopen loop with a U-shaped portion. Still further lobes 801 (FIG. 4) havean open loop with a first U-shaped portion 100 disposed proximate thefirst platform 8, a second U-shaped portion 108 disposed proximate thesecond platform 12, and a first linear portion 104 disposed between thefirst U-shaped portion 100 and second U-shaped portion 104. Some lobes80J (FIG. 6) have an open loop with a first linear portion 124 disposedproximate the first platform 8, a second linear portion 112 disposedproximate the second platform 12 and oriented substantially parallel tothe first linear portion 124, and a third linear portion 104 disposedbetween the first and second linear portions 124, 112 and orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the first and second linear portions 124,112.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lobe 80A may extend radially outwardly from thefirst end 84 to an inner curved portion 92, which is interconnected toan inner linear vertical portion 96. The inner curved portion 92 has afirst radius of curvature R1. The inner linear vertical portion 96 isinterconnected to a curved upper portion 100. The curved upper portion100 has a second radius of curvature R2 and a third radius of curvatureR3. Both radii of curvature R2, R3 may be the same such that the radiusis constant across the curved upper portion 100 or the radii ofcurvature R2, R3 may be different. The curved upper portion 100 extendsto and is interconnected to an outer linear vertical portion 104interconnected to a curved lower portion 108 that extends inwardly tothe second end 88. The curved lower portion 108 has a fourth radius ofcurvature R4. A lower linear horizontal portion 112 can be positionedbetween the second end 88 and the curved lower portion 108.

In some embodiments, the curved upper portion 100 of the lobe 80A has aradius of curvature R2, R3. The radius of curvature R2, R3 can beconstant across the curved upper portion 100 or the radius of curvatureR2, R3 can change across the curved upper portion 100. For example, oneend of the curved upper portion 100 may have a second radius ofcurvature R2 while the other end of the curved upper portion may have athird radius of curvature R3. The radius of curvature R2, R3 of thecurved upper portion 100 can be different for different lobes 80A-J orsome lobes 80 may have the same curved upper portion radius of curvatureR2, R3. In some embodiments, the curved lower portion 108 of the lobe80A has a radius of curvature R4. The radius of curvature can beconstant across the curved lower portion 108 or the radius of curvatureR4 can change across the curved lower portion 108. For example, one endof the curved lower portion 108 may have a fourth radius of curvature R4while the other end of the curved lower portion 108 has a fifth radiusof curvature R5, as shown in FIG. 4. The radius of curvature R4 of thecurved lower portion 108 can be different for different lobes 80A-J orsome lobes 80 may have the same curved lower portion 108 radius ofcurvature R4. In some embodiments, the inner curved portion of the lobe80 has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature can be constantacross the inner curved portion or the radius of curvature can changeacross the inner curved portion. For example, one end of the innercurved portion may have a first radius of curvature while the other endof the inner curved portion has a second radius of curvature. The radiusof curvature of the inner curved portion can be different for differentlobes 80 or some lobes 80 may have the same inner curved portion radiusof curvature. Moreover, the curved upper portion radius of curvature maybe the same or different than the curved lower portion radius ofcurvature and the inner curved portion radius of curvature.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, each lobe 80A, 80I, 80G, 80J has a height H1 asmeasured from the lower-most portion of the lobe 80A, 80I, 80G, 80J tothe upper-most portion of the lobe 80A, 80I, 80G, 80J. Each lobe 80 mayhave a different height H1, all lobes 80 may have the same height H1, orsome lobes 80 may have the same height H1 while other lobes 80 haveother heights H1. For example, the lobe 801 of FIG. 4 has a height H1and the lobe 80A of FIG. 3 has a different height H1.

The lobe 801 of FIG. 4 is similar to the lobe 80A of FIG. 3, except thatthe lobe 801 extends downwardly below the second end 88. Thus, the lobe801 extends radially outwardly from the first end 84 to an inner curvedportion 92, which has a first radius of curvature R1 and isinterconnected to an inner linear vertical portion 96. The inner linearvertical portion 96 is interconnected to a curved upper portion 100 witha second radius of curvature R2 and a third radius of curvature R3. Bothradii of curvature R2, R3 may be the same such that the radius isconstant across the curved upper portion 100 or the radii of curvatureR2, R3 may be different. The curved upper portion 100 extends to and isinterconnected to an outer linear vertical portion 104 interconnected toa curved lower portion 108 with a fourth radius of curvature R4 and afifth radius of curvature R5, which may be the same as or different thanthe fourth radius of curvature R4. The curved lower portion 108 extendsupwardly to a lower vertical portion 116 that is interconnected to asecond inner curved portion 120. The second inner curved portion 120extends inwardly to the second end 88.

FIG. 5 shows a lobe 80G that extends outwardly from the first end 84 toan upper linear horizontal portion 124, which is interconnected to acurved upper portion 100. The curved upper portion 100 can be directlyinterconnected to a curved lower portion 108 or there may be an outerlinear vertical portion 104 between the curved upper portion 100 and thecurved lower portion 108. The curved lower portion 108 extends inwardlyto the second end 88 of the lobe 80G. A lower linear horizontal portion112 can be positioned between the second end 88 and the curved lowerportion 108.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a lobe 80J. This lobe 80J extendsoutwardly from the first end 84 to an upper linear horizontal portion124 that interconnects to the outer linear vertical portion 104 at afirst corner 130. The outer linear vertical portion 104 interconnects tothe lower linear horizontal portion 112 at a second corner 134. Thelower linear horizontal portion 112 extends inwardly to the second end88.

Further, some lobes 80B, 80E (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) include an upperlinear horizontal portion 124 extending outwardly from the first end 84and the upper linear horizontal portion 124 is interconnected to aninner curved portion 92, which extends to an inner linear verticalportion 96. The inner linear vertical portion 96 extends upwardly to thecurved upper portion 100, which is interconnected to an outer linearvertical portion 104 that extends downwardly to a curved lower portion108. The curved lower portion 108 extends inwardly to a lower linearhorizontal portion 112 that is interconnected to the second end 88 ofthe lobe 80.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the isolator 4. As can be seen in FIG. 7,the upper platform 8 has a diameter D1 as measured from the outerperimeter 28 on one side to the outer perimeter 28 of the other side andthe lower platform 12 has a diameter D2 as measured from the outerperimeter 56 on one side to the outer perimeter 56 of the other side. Inthe embodiment shown, the diameter D2 of the lower platform 12 is largerthan the diameter D1 of the upper platform 8. The center point C_(p) ofthe upper platform 8 can be positioned directly above and in line withthe center point (not shown) of the lower platform 12 such that avertical axis (150 in FIG. 8) of the isolator 4 extends through thecenter point of the lower platform 12 and the center point C_(p) of theupper platform 8. In other embodiments, the center point C_(p) of theupper platform 8 is not directly above and in line with the center pointof the lower platform 12. In various embodiments, the first end 84 of alobe 80 is positioned above and in line with the second end 88 of thelobe 80, such that the second end 88 of the lobe 80 is not visible in atop plan view. In other embodiments, the lobe 80 is twisted or has ahelical orientation such that the second end 88 of the lobe 80 ispositioned to the left or right of the first end 84 and at least aportion of the second end 88 is visible in a top plan view. Theinterconnection mechanism 40 can be positioned in the center of theupper platform 8 (i.e., be positioned on the center point C_(p)) or theinterconnection mechanism 40 can be off-centered, for example, as shownin FIG. 7.

Overall, the lobes 80 extend radially outwardly from the upper platform8 and lower platform 12. Each lobe 80 has a radial distance L1 measuredfrom the junction 154 between the first end 84 at the perimeter edge 24of the upper platform 8 upper surface 16 to the radial outmost portion158 of the lobe 80. Each lobe 80 may have the same radial distance L1,some lobes 80 may have the same radial distance L1, or all lobes 80 mayhave different radial distances L1. Each lobe 80 has a width W.Typically, the width W of the lobe 80 is constant for the whole lobe 80.However, in some embodiments, the width W of the lobe 80 varies acrossthe lobe 80, for example, the width W of the first end 84 may be largerthan the width W of the second end 88, or vice versa. Alternatively, thewidth W of the radial outermost portion may be larger than the widths Wof the first end 84 and second end 88 of the lobe 80. The lobes 80 canall have different widths W or some lobes 80 can have a first width W,while other lobes 80 have a second width W, and still other lobes 80have a third width W, etc.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the isolator 4. The isolator 4 has avertical axis 150. In the embodiment shown, the bottom or lower surface170 of the isolator 4 is substantially flat to allow the isolator 4 tosit flat on a flat surface or otherwise interconnect to a structure. Inthis embodiment, the bottoms 174 of the lobes 80 are in line with thelower surface 178 of the lower platform 12. In alternative embodiments,the one or more lobes 80 extend downwardly below the lower surface 178of the lower platform 12, i.e., as shown in FIG. 4.

In the embodiment shown, the two lobes 80G, 80H in front of theinterconnection mechanism 40 (i.e., the two front lobes 80G, 80H) do notextend above the upper surface 16 of the upper platform 8. Rather, theselobes 80G, 80H extend outwardly and horizontally from the upper platform8. This configuration is necessary if the component is long or largeand, thus, the component extends outwardly forward from theinterconnection mechanism 40 such that it is positioned above the twofront lobes 80G, 80H. Therefore, the front lobes 80G, 80H must be shortenough that they do not touch or contact the component. However, if thecomponent does not extend forward over the front lobes 80G, 80H, thenthe front lobes 80G, 80H can be taller and extend above the upperplatform 8 like the other lobes 80A-F. Additionally, the rear two lobes80C, 80D can also extend outwardly and horizontally from the upperplatform 8 and not extend above the upper surface 16 of the upperplatform 8 if the component is long or large and, thus, the componentextends outwardly and rearwardly from the interconnection mechanism 40.Alternatively, if the component does not extend rearward over the rearlobes 80C, 80D, then the rear lobes 80C, 80D can be taller and extendabove the upper platform 8 like the other lobes 80A-B, 80E-F.

The shape of each lobe 80 relates to the target resonant frequency andthe shape of each lobe 80 differs according to the target resonantfrequency. Each lobe 80 has a radial distance L1 and each lobe 80 has athickness T1, which can be constant across the whole lobe 80.Alternatively, the thickness T1 of a lobe 80 may change across the lobe80, e.g., the first end 84 may be thicker than the second end 88 or thelinear portion(s) may be thicker than the curved portion(s), etc. In oneembodiment, all lobes 80 have the same thickness T1. In an alternativeembodiment, each lobe 80 has a different thickness T1. And in furtherembodiments, one or more lobes 80 have a first thickness, one or moreother lobes 80 have a second thickness, one or more other lobes 80 havea third thickness, etc. In some embodiments, the thickness T1 of thelobe 80 at the first end 84 is the same as the thickness T2 of the upperplatform 8, and the thickness T1 of the lobe 80 at the second end 88 isthe same as the thickness T3 of the lower platform 12. The thickness T2of the upper platform 8 is measured from the upper surface 16 to thelower surface 182 of the upper platform 8. The thickness T3 of the lowerplatform 12 is measured from the upper surface 20 to the lower surface178 of the lower platform 12.

Each lobe 80 has a height H1 as measured from the lower-most portion ofthe lobe 80 to the upper-most portion of the lobe 80. Each lobe 80 mayhave a different height H1, all lobes 80 may have the same height H1, orsome lobes 80 may have the same height H1 while other lobes 80 haveother heights H1. For example, the lobe 80A on the left has a height H1and the lobe 80E on the right has a different height H1. Additionally,some lobes 80A-B, 80E-F extend a height H2 above the upper platform 8 asmeasured from the upper surface 16 of the upper platform 8 to theupper-most portion of the lobe 80A-B, 80E-F.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the isolator 4. Here, the height H1of one lobe 80G is shown. The height H1 of the lobe 80G is less than theheight H1 of other lobes 80F, 80E, 80B. The radial distance of the lobe80G is also shown. The platform height H3 of the isolator 4 is measuredfrom the upper surface 16 of the upper platform 8 to the lower surface178 of the lower platform 12. The platform distance H4 is the distancebetween the upper and lower platforms 8, 12 as measured from the lowersurface 182 of the upper platform 8 to the upper surface 20 of the lowerplatform 12.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9, no two lobes 80 are exactly thesame. More specifically, the lobes 80 have different shapes (e.g.,different heights, widths, thicknesses, radial distances, etc. and/orhave different radii of curvature), have different densities or weights,and/or are hollow or solid. However, in other embodiments, there can begroups of lobe that are the same shape and each group of lobes is adifferent shape than another group of lobes.

FIG. 10 shows the first mode shape of the isolator 4 and FIG. 11 showsthe second mode shape of the isolator 4. The first mode is the mode ofthe isolator 4 at time t1 and experiencing vibrations with a firstfrequency. The second mode is the mode of the isolator 4 at time t2 andexperiencing vibrations with a second frequency. The first mode shape isthe shape of the isolator 4 during the first mode. The second mode shapeis the shape of the isolator 4 during the second mode.

Each lobe 80 has a different resonant frequency, which also reduces theeffective modal mass of the isolator 4 at a given frequency. Thus, thedifferently-shaped lobes respond differently to the input energy,allowing the isolator 4 as a whole to distribute the input energy intomore bands than symmetrical isolator designs. As the isolator 4experiences vibration or shock, one or more lobes 80A, 80E bend andoscillate to absorb the shock and/or vibration while the other lobes80B-D, 80F-H remain generally static such that the component experiencesa reduced vibration or shock.

As shown in FIG. 10, one lobe 80A is affected by the first mode andanother lobe 80E is slightly affected by the first mode. Typically, themost damage to the isolated component occurs when it experiences thefirst mode because the first mode has the greatest amplitude. Here, thefirst mode shape of the isolator 4 includes six unaffected (ornon-moving) lobes 80B-D, 80F-H, one affected lobe 80A, and one slightlyaffected lobe 80E. Additionally, the way the affected lobe 80A and theslightly affected lobe 80E are shaped during the first mode furtherdefines the first mode shape of the isolator 4 when the isolator 4 isexperiencing pure sinusoidal input. In practice, the isolator 4 willexperience multiple inputs and frequencies; therefore, all of the lobes80 may be oscillating.

The affected or oscillating lobes act similar to a node of anoscillating string and the non-moving lobes are the anti-nodes. Thus,under specific vibration conditions, one or more lobes will act as anode and will oscillate while the remaining lobes will not move and,thus, act as anti-nodes for that given mode. The number of nodes andanti-nodes may change depending on the mode. The non-moving lobes areanti-nodes and do not move because the energy input into theseanti-nodes returns at the right time to cancel out the energy, againlike the stationary points on an oscillating string.

The way the affected lobe 80A is shaped during the first mode can beseen in FIG. 10A, which is a side elevation view of the affected lobe80A before it is affected (200, shown in solid lines) and after it isaffected (204, shown in dashed lines). Additionally, as can be seen inFIG. 10A, the first end 84 of the lobe 80A and the second end 88 of thelobe 80A does not move even when the lobe 80A is vibrating and has thefirst mode shape 204. This is true for pure sinusoidal input but may notbe true in practice because all of the lobes 80 may be oscillating inpractice.

As shown in FIG. 11, only one lobe 80A is affected by the second modeand the affected lobe 80A in FIG. 11 is the same lobe 80A as theaffected lobe 80A in FIG. 10. Thus, the second mode shape of theisolator 4 includes seven unaffected (non-moving) lobes 80B-H and oneaffected lobe 80A when the isolator 4 is experiencing pure sinusoidalinput. In practice, the isolator 4 will experience multiple inputs andfrequencies; therefore, all of the lobes 80 may be oscillating.Additionally, the way the affected lobe 80A is shaped during the secondmode further defines the second mode shape of the isolator 4.Specifically, the affected lobe 80A is shaped differently in FIGS. 10and 10A than it is shaped in FIGS. 11 and 11A. Accordingly, each lobe 80of the isolator 4 can dampen different modes or frequencies, which meansthat the dampening concept extends to higher order modes.

The way the affected lobe 80A is shaped during the second mode can beseen in FIG. 11A, which is a side elevation view of the affected lobe80A before it is affected (200, shown in solid lines) and after it isaffected (208, shown in dashed lines). Additionally, as can be seen inFIG. 11A, the first end 84 of the lobe 80A and the second end 88 of thelobe 80A does not move even when the lobe 80A is vibrating and has thesecond mode shape 208.

FIG. 12 shows one lobe 80K of the isolator 4 before a load is introduced(250, shown in solid lines) and the same lobe 80K under quasi-staticloading (254, shown in dashed lines). The unloaded lobe 250 is cut atthe first end 84 and the thickness T1 of the lobe 80K can be seen. Thefirst end 84 of the unloaded lobe 250 is positioned an unloaded heightH5 above the second end 88. When the lobe 80K is under quasi-static orstatic loading 254, it has a slightly different shape and the first end84 is displaced downwardly a distance L2. Thus, the first end 84 of theloaded lobe 254 is positioned a loaded height H6 above the second end88. The second end 88 does not move in the example shown in FIG. 12. Thedisplacement amount L2 is measured by subtracting the loaded height H6of the first end 84 of the lobe 80K after the load is applied 254 fromthe unloaded height H5 of the first end 84 of the lobe 80K before theload is applied 250, i.e., L2=H5−H6. The upper platform 8 of theisolator 4 is interconnected to the first end 84 of the lobe; therefore,the displacement of the first end 84 of the lobe 80K is the relevantpoint of reference because the portion of the upper platform 8 proximatethe lobe's first end 84 will displace the same amount as the first end84 of the lobe 80.

FIG. 13 shows another lobe 80L of the isolator 4 before a load isintroduced (270, shown in solid lines) and the same lobe 80L underquasi-static loading (274, shown in dashed lines). The unloaded lobe 270is cut at the first end 84 and the thickness T1 of the lobe 80 can beseen. The first end 84 of the unloaded lobe 270 is positioned anunloaded height H5 above the second end 88. When the lobe 80L is underquasi-static or static loading 274, the lobe 80L has a slightlydifferent shape and the first end 84 is displaced downwardly a distanceL2. Thus, the first end 84 of the loaded lobe 274 is positioned a loadedheight H6 above the second end 88. The second end 88 does not move inthe example shown in FIG. 13. The first end 84's displacement amount L2is measured by subtracting the height H6 of the first end 84 of the lobe80L after the load is applied 274 from the height H5 of the first end 84of the lobe 80L before the load is applied 270, i.e., L2=H5−H6. Theupper platform 8 of the isolator 4 is interconnected to the first end 84of the lobe 80L; therefore, the displacement L2 of the first end 84 ofthe lobe 80L is the relevant point of reference because the portion ofthe upper platform 8 proximate the lobe's first end 84 will displace thesame amount as the first end 84 of the lobe 80L. As such, it is desiredthat the first end 84 of each lobe 80 will displace the same amount whenunder the same quasi-static loading, which will cause the upper platform8 to displace a uniform amount.

Therefore, if FIGS. 12 and 13 where under the same quasi-static loading,then the displacement L2 of the first end 84 of the lobe 80K of FIG. 12would equal the displacement L2 of the first end 84 of the lobe 80L ofFIG. 13. Moreover, static deformation of the isolator 4 can bemaintained by making each differently-shaped lobe 80 staticallyequivalent to the other lobes 80 when under a given quasi-staticloading. Further, uniform motion under quasi-static loading enables themaximum amount of travel of the upper platform 8 and the componentwithout the upper platform 8 bottoming out (i.e., hitting the structureor lower platform 12). If only one lobe 80 is displaced, then only aportion (or one side) of the upper platform 8 would be displaced, whichcould cause the component to tilt or cause that portion of the upperplatform 8 to bottom out on the lower platform 12. Embodiments of thepresent invention are designed to reduce bottoming-out becausebottoming-out can increase the vibration and shock experienced by thecomponent.

In some embodiments, the lobes are solid. In other embodiments, thelobes are hollow. In still other embodiments, some lobes are hollowwhile some lobes are solid. The lobes may be the same density or thelobes may be different densities. Alternatively, some lobes may be thesame density while other lobes are other densities.

FIG. 14 shows an isolator 4 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The isolator 4 has an upper platform 8, a lower platform 12,and multiple lobes (collectively 80, individually 80B, 800, 80D, 80M,80F, 80N, 80H, 80I). In the embodiment shown, each lobe has a differentshape and/or size. Further, some lobes 801, 800, 80M, 80N extend belowthe lower platform 12 a distance H7.

FIG. 15A is a side elevation view of an isolator 304 for a large item,e.g., a 30- to 100-pound flight box, a seat with a passenger, asatellite, or any other large item weighing hundreds or even thousandsof pounds. The isolator 304 may have hundreds of lobes 380 includinginternal lobes 380B, 380C, 380D and lobes 380A around the perimeter. Asdiscussed herein, the shape of the lobes 380 may vary. The isolator 304has an upper platform 308 and a lower platform 312. The upper platform308 has an upper surface 316 and a lower surface 318. The lower platform312 has an upper surface 320 and a lower surface 322. The platforms 308,312 are spaced a height H4 apart from one another. Each platform 308,312 has a perimeter edge or outer perimeter 328, 356, respectively. Thelower platform 312 may be interconnected to the flight vehicle or otherstructure on the vehicle. The isolated component is interconnected tothe upper surface 316 of the upper platform 308.

The lobes 380 can be any shape, size, density, and weight. For example,some lobes 380A have a first end integrally extending from the outerperimeter 328 of the upper platform 308 and a second end integrallyextending from the outer perimeter 356 of the lower platform 312. Thelobe 380A extends outwardly from the first end and outwardly from thesecond end. Additionally, the isolator 304 may have internal lobes 380B,380C, 380D of varying shapes. In one embodiment, some lobes 380B, 380Cextend downwardly from the lower surface 318 of the upper platform 308,extend outwardly into an earlobe shape having a lobe height H1, and thenextend downwardly to the upper surface 320 of the lower platform 312.The lobes 380B, 380C may be positioned proximate one another such thatthey mirror one another and are spaced a length L3 apart from oneanother.

The internal lobes 380 may also be a “C” or donut shape as shown by lobe380D. The C-shaped lobes could be shorter and thicker than theearlobe-shaped lobes 380B, 380C, which would increase the center ofgravity and the geometric center of the isolated component less thantaller earlobe-shaped lobes 380B, 380C. The taller the internal lobesand the taller the height H4, the more the center of gravity and thegeometric center of the isolated component is increased.

The internal lobes 380B, 380C, 380D can be arranged in a random patternor can be arranged in a predetermined pattern between the platforms 308,312. For example, the lobes 380B, 380C, 380D may be arranged in a“circular” pattern consisting of multiple four-lobe clusters. Eachfour-lobe cluster comprises four lobes positioned 90 degrees apart fromone another to form an “X” or cross-like shape. Then the neighboringfour-lobe cluster is the same shape, except that the entire cluster isrotated 45 degrees relative to the first four-lobe cluster. This patterncan repeat as many times as needed depending on the number of lobesneeded. The circular shape could have more lobes, for example, five,six, seven, eight, or any number of lobes. Additionally, the lobes 380B,380C, 380D may be the same shape or different shapes and may be the sameweight and/or density or different weights and/or densities in variousembodiments.

FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of an isolator 304 for a large item,e.g., a 30- to 100-pound flight box, a seat with a passenger, asatellite, or any other large item weighing hundreds or even thousandsof pounds. The isolator 304 has an endoskeleton structure 402, which isa strong structural material, such as metal or ABS plastic, and is usedto enhance the load carrying capability of the isolator. Theendoskeleton structure 402 is surrounded by a damping material 400. Theendoskeleton structure 402 can be thicker or thinner than is shown inFIG. 15B. The endoskeleton structure 402 can be comprised of any knownstrong material. Further, some lobes 380 may have the endoskeletonstructure 402 while other lobes may not have the endoskeleton structure402.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 15A may or may not have an endoskeletonstructure; it depends on the load the isolator must support. For heavierloads, the isolator 304 will have an endoskeleton structure, while forlighter loads the endoskeleton structure is not necessary. Thus, someembodiments may have the endoskeleton structure 402, while otherembodiments do not have the endoskeleton structure 402. Moreover, any ofthe other embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-14 may or may not have anendoskeleton structure.

The embodiment of the isolator 304 with the endoskeleton structure 402can be produced in several ways. For one, the damping material 400 canbe 3D printed to make a skeletal “glove” that covers at least thesignificant dynamic absorption features of the endoskeleton structure402 such as the lobes 380. Slits in the damping “glove” allow it to befit over the endoskeleton. Alternatively, the entire isolator 304 can beprinted using a 3D printer that can print multiple materials, includingmetal and the damping material. Thus, the endoskeleton structure 402with the damping material 400 is 3D printed simultaneously.Additionally, a 3D printed metal that uses a powder bed could be used.Here, the endoskeleton structure 402 may trap the raw metal powder inthe 3D printed endoskeleton structure 402. The metal powder wouldattenuate shock and vibration loading because the metal powder absorbshigh frequency waves.

Both the endoskeleton structure 402 and the damping material 400 can beeither homogeneous or non-homogeneous in material, size, anddimensionally. Thus, the endoskeleton structure 402 may be thicker orwider in some areas or may be a consistent shape and size throughout.Further, the endoskeleton structure 402 may be different materials atdifferent locations, for example one lobe may have a first material forthe endoskeleton structure 402 and a second lobe may have a secondmaterial for the endoskeleton structure 402 and the platform may have athird material for the endoskeleton structure 402. The same is true forthe damping material 400: one lobe may have one damping material, asecond lobe may have a second damping material, etc. The dampingmaterial 400 may also be different thicknesses or shapes at differentlocations throughout the isolator 304.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of an isolator 504 in itsstatic state. The portion of the isolator 504 shown has an upperplatform 508 positioned opposite a lower platform 512. The upperplatform 508 has an upper surface 516 and a lower surface. The lowerplatform 512 has an upper surface 520 and a lower surface. When theisolator 504 is in its static state (i.e., not experiencing vibrations,heat, or other conditions), the lower surface of the upper platform 508is positioned a height H4 above the upper surface 520 of the lowerplatform 512. The isolator has lobes 580A, 580B positioned like columnsbetween the platforms 508, 512. Each lobe 580A, 580B extends from thelower surface of the upper platform 508 to the upper surface 520 of thelower platform 512. The lobes 580A, 580B are shown with a curved shapeand rectangular cross-section, but the lobes 580A, 580B could have anyshape and any cross-section shape that isolates the component andcontacts another lobe when quasi-static plus dynamic loading issufficient. When the isolator 504 is in its static state, the lobes580A, 580B do not touch one another. The isolator 504 can have morelobes and different types of lobes than those shown in FIG. 16. Forexample, the isolator 504 can have external lobes 80, 380A ordifferently shaped internal lobes 380B, 380D, and any combinationthereof, exemplary embodiments of which are shown in FIGS. 1-15B and 18.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the portion of the isolator 504 of FIG.16 damping vibrations at the point where the lobes contact or interferewith one another. As the isolator 504 dampens the vibrations, the twoplatforms 508, 512 move closer to one another such that the height H4′between the lower surface of the upper platform 508 and the uppersurface 520 of the lower platform 512 is less than the height H4 shownin FIG. 16 when the isolator 504 is in its static state. The isolatorplatform 508 displaces an amount equal to H4−H4′, assuming the componentis attached to the upper platform 508 and the lower platform 512 issecured to a structure. In some embodiments, the upper platform 508 willdisplace a uniform amount under various loads. For example, in theheavy-load-carrying embodiment, the endoskeleton structure could be verystiff to prevent or limit locally deformation. However, in otherembodiments, the upper platform 508 may not uniformly displace. As theplatforms 508, 512 move closer to one another, a portion of the firstlobe 580A engages a portion of the second lobe 580B. The lobes 580A,580B are positioned and designed such that they will engage each otherwhen sufficient quasi-static plus dynamic loading occurs. Thisengagement causes the lobes 580A, 580B to interfere with one another,which changes the performance of the lobes. The change in lobeperformance is shown in the graph of FIG. 20 and is described in thedescription therewith. The lobes 580A, 580B are designed and positionedsuch that they interfere with one another at the point when the isolator504 would otherwise experience overload and likely bottom out due toexcessive displacement. By the lobes 580A, 580B interfering with oneanother, the interference prevents the isolator 504 from bottoming outbecause the interference limits the displacement. Thus, the isolator 504continues to perform well by isolating the component even after thepoint when typical isolators would be overloaded and no longer be ableto isolate the component. At the point where the lobes contact oneanother, there would be a contact event. However, there is littleability to impart much shock because the lobes are comprised ofelastomeric materials and elastomeric materials are poor shocktransmitters. Further, the lobes are designed to operate without contactduring at least about 95% of the flight. Only in the unlikely 5% of thetime will the lobes contact one another.

FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a portion of an isolator 604 in itsstatic state. The portion of the isolator 604 shown has an upperplatform 608 positioned opposite a lower platform 612. The upperplatform 608 has an upper surface 616 and a lower surface 618. The lowerplatform 612 has an upper surface 620 and a lower surface 622. When theisolator 604 is in its static state (i.e., not experiencing vibrations,heat, or other conditions), the lower surface 618 of the upper platform608 is positioned a height H4 above the upper surface 620 of the lowerplatform 612. The isolator has lobes 680A, 680B positioned between theplatforms 608, 612. Each lobe 680A, 680B extends from the lower surface618 of the upper platform 608 to the upper surface 620 of the lowerplatform 612. The lobes 680A, 680B shown have a spherical or egg-likeshape and circular cross-section, but the lobes 680A, 680B could haveany shape and any cross-section shape that isolates the component andpermits contact with another lobe when sufficient total load(quasi-static plus dynamic loading) occurs. The lobes 680A, 680B may besolid or hollow depending on the needs of the isolator 604 and the massof the component to isolate. When the isolator 604 is in its staticstate, the lobes 680A, 680B do not touch one another. The isolator 604can have more lobes and different types of lobes than those shown inFIG. 18. For example, the isolator 604 can have external lobes 80, 380Aor differently shaped internal lobes 380B, 380D, 580A, 580B, and anycombination thereof.

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the portion of the isolator 604 ofFIG. 18 damping vibrations at the point where the lobes contact orinterfere with one another. As the isolator 604 dampens the vibrations,the two platforms 608, 612 move closer to one another such that theheight H4′ between the lower surface 618 of the upper platform 608 andthe upper surface 620 of the lower platform 612 is less than the heightH4 shown in FIG. 18 when the isolator 604 is in its static state. Theisolator platform 608 displaces an amount equal to H4−H4′, assuming thecomponent is attached to the upper platform 608 and the lower platform612 is secured to a structure. As the platforms 608, 612 move closer toone another, a portion of the first lobe 680A engages a portion of thesecond lobe 680B. The lobes 680A, 680B are positioned and designed suchthat they will engage each other at their modes. This engagement causesthe lobes 680A, 680B to interfere with one another, which changes theperformance of the lobes. The change in lobe performance is shown in thegraph of FIG. 20. The lobes 680A, 680B are designed and positioned suchthat they interfere with one another at the point when the isolator 604would otherwise experience overload and likely bottom out due toexcessive displacement. By the lobes 680A, 680B interfering with oneanother, the interference prevents the isolator 604 from bottoming outbecause the interference limits the displacement. Thus, the isolator 604continues to perform well by isolating the component even after thepoint when typical isolators would be overloaded and no longer be ableto isolate the component.

An advantage of using a lobe 680A, 680B with a shape similar to thoseshown in FIG. 18 over a lobe 580A, 580B with a shape similar to thoseshown in FIG. 16 is that the lobes 580A, 580B shown in FIG. 16 may slipoff of one another when the isolator experiences extreme conditions andis operating under overload conditions. Thus, the lobes 580A, 580B mayonly contact one another and interfere with one another for a shorttime. However, the lobes 680A, 680B of FIG. 18 slip less because thereis more area to contact one another when under overload conditions.Therefore, the lobes 680A, 680B remain in contact with one anotherthroughout the overload period.

Moreover, any of the isolators 4, 304, 504, 604 described herein canhave a combination of different types of lobes, including any of thelobes shown in FIGS. 1-19. And the isolators can have any number oflobes from two lobes to hundreds or thousands of lobes. Moreover, thelobes can have any shape shown or described herein, including a sphere,an egg, a C-shape, a U-shape, a C-shaped column, and an ear.

FIG. 20 is a buckling lobe comparison graph that shows the amount theisolator displaces depending on the amount of force experienced by theisolator. The lower portion of the solid line represents thedisplacement experienced by an isolator with lobes that are spaced apartsuch that they do not contact one another and an isolator with lobesthat contact one another once the isolator experiences a certain amountof force. At this point on the graph, the two isolators behave the same.Additionally, a vertical line on the graph shows the maximum forceexperienced by the component for the majority of the flight. Thus, thestandard design level would be for forces less than the vertical line. Ahorizontal line shows the isolator's bottoming out point. Above thisline, the isolator experiences overload conditions. In overloadconditions, the lobes will not be working as tuned mass dampers becausethe lobes will be squished between the platforms.

An isolator designed at the standard design level would cover themajority of the conditions the component and isolator experience duringflight. However, the standard design level would not isolate thecomponent from large shock events experienced during stage I/IIseparation, fairing separation, and space vehicle separation. Theseseparation events cause forces to the right of the vertical line anddisplacements greater than the horizontal line, which means an isolatordesigned at the standard design level would bottom out during theseevents. In order to prevent the isolator from bottoming out during theseparation events, either the isolator must be overdesigned toaccommodate these conditions or the isolator must have a non-lineardesign, as is shown by the bend in the solid line and the upper portionof the solid line. Regarding the term “non-linear design,” the isolatorwith the contacting lobes has a “non-linear” design because thedisplacement graph has a non-linear shape.

The sloped line splits into two lines: a dashed line and a solid line.The two sloped lines above the split in the graph represent thedifferent performance of the two designs. The split point in the graphis the point where the interfering lobes begin contacting one another.Here, the dashed line continues on the same linear trajectory as thelower solid line. The dashed line represents an isolator with lobes thatdo not contact one another and, therefore, do not interfere with oneanother. The dashed line intersects the horizontal bottoming out line.At this point, there is too much displacement for the isolatorrepresented by the dashed line and this isolator will bottom out. Thesolid line above the split represents an isolator with lobes thatinterfere with one another to prolong bottoming out and reachingoverload conditions, e.g., an isolator with lobes similar to those shownin FIGS. 16-19. Because the lobes interfere with one another, theisolator experiences less displacement when under large amounts offorce. Accordingly, a lot more force is required to make the isolatorwith interfering lobes bottom out. Additionally, the dashed line(non-interfering lobe isolator) reaches bottoming out conditions muchquicker than the solid line (interfering lobe isolator). Thus, isolatorswith lobes that interfere with one another give the designer the abilityto tailor performance with overload protection due to the non-lineardesign.

Further, using interfering lobes permits the designer to use softerdamping materials for the isolator and lobes and still meet the P99/90statistical confidence requirements. In prior art isolators, designershad to use excessive durometer stiffening (i.e., very hard dampingmaterials) to meet the P99/90 statistical confidence requirements.

Because the lobes or groups of lobes designed to isolate a givenfrequency need to have an effective modal mass that is at least 10% ofthe mass of the isolated component, the lobes may need to be very heavy.Therefore, in some embodiments, the lobes will include weights or heavyinserts (e.g., lead, other metal, or heavy plastic) to increase the massof the lobes.

The embodiments shown herein are scalable, meaning they can beconstructed in a small size for small and/or lightweight components orthey can be constructed in a large size (with or without an endoskeletonstructure) for large and/or heavy components.

Further, even though components are not shown on the isolators in thefigures, the isolators of the present invention are specificallydesigned to support a component on top of the isolator. Typically, thecomponent sits on the isolator's upper platform 16, 316.

Isolators according to embodiments of the present invention can bemanufactured of various materials. For example, in one embodiment, theisolator is an elastomeric material. Elastomeric materials provide moredissipation of energy than other materials. Elastomeric materials alsohave a greater potential for damping due to the material friction andthey use internal friction to absorb vibrations. In another embodiment,the isolator is a UV-cured polymer material. In a further embodiment,the UV-cured polymer material isolator has a silicone coating to reduceor eliminate outgassing. The silicone coating seals in gases and can bewhite to absorb less radiation and heat in space.

Embodiments of the present invention do not require a dumb mass, whichprior art isolators required. Dumb masses add extra weight and areundesirable for situations such as space flight where extra weight isexpensive and unwanted. Prior art isolators used the dumb mass toattenuate the load experienced by the component and isolator. Typically,the dumb mass must have a mass that is equal to about 10% of the mass ofthe component being isolated. The present invention removes the need forthe dumb mass because the isolator and lobes are the dumb mass and,therefore, the isolator and/or lobes use their own mass to attenuate theload experienced by the isolator and component. In some embodimentswhere the lobes have the same shape, weight, density, and/or effectivemodal mass, the entire isolator (with the lobes) has a mass that isabout 10% of the mass of the component. Alternatively, where each lobehas a different shape, weight, density, and/or effective modal mass,each lobe can have a mass that is about 10% of the mass of the componentsuch that each lobe alone could attenuate a specific frequency or mode.In further embodiments, some lobes may have the same shape, weight,density, and/or effective modal mass such that these lobes together havea mass that is about 10% of the mass of the isolated component. Thus,embodiments of the present invention do not need an additional dumb massand all of the mass of the isolator is used as a dynamic absorber ratherthan just being a dumb mass. Further, by making the isolator anelastomeric material, the elastomeric material dampens and dissipatesenergy.

Embodiments of the present invention can be manufactured using additivemanufacturing (i.e., 3D printing) technology. As such, isolators of thepresent invention only have about a six-hour lead time, are easy tomanufacture, and are inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodiments of the present invention can isolate the component fromelectrical current and static charge, shock, vibration, thermal loadsbecause the material's elastomeric properties that generate frictiontend to isolate static charge, shock, vibration, and thermal loads aswell.

Additionally, various features/components of one embodiment may becombined with features/components of another embodiment. For example,features/components of one figure can be combined withfeatures/components of another figure or features/components of multiplefigures. To avoid repetition, every different combination of featureshas not been described herein, but the different combinations are withinthe scope of this disclosure. Additionally, if details (includingangles, dimensions, etc.) about a feature or component are describedwith one embodiment or one figure, then those details can apply tosimilar features of components in other embodiments or other figures.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of thoseembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to beexpressly understood that such modifications and alterations are withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in thefollowing claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capableof other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out invarious ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should notbe regarded as limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolator, comprising: a first platform havingan outer surface, a planar inner surface, and a perimeter extendingbetween the outer and inner surfaces; a second platform having an outersurface, a planar inner surface, and a perimeter extending between theouter and inner surfaces, the second platform spaced from the firstplatform with the planar inner surface of the second platform facing theplanar inner surface of the first platform; a first lobe having a firstend directly interconnected to the planar inner surface of the firstplatform and a second end directly interconnected to the planar innersurface of the second platform, wherein the first end of the first lobeconnects perpendicularly to the planar inner surface of the firstplatform, and wherein the first lobe is spaced inwardly from theperimeter of the first platform and the perimeter of the second platformsuch that the first lobe does not extend beyond the perimeter of thefirst platform and the perimeter of the second platform; a second lobehaving a first end directly interconnected to the planar inner surfaceof the first platform and a second end directly interconnected to theplanar inner surface of the second platform, and wherein the second lobeis spaced inwardly from the perimeter of the first platform and theperimeter of the second platform such that the second lobe does notextend beyond the perimeter of the first platform and the perimeter ofthe second platform; wherein the first and second lobes are comprised atleast partially of a damping material; and wherein when a force isapplied to the first or second platform and the first lobe is deformedthe first lobe does not extend beyond the perimeter of the firstplatform and the perimeter of the second platform, and when a force isapplied to the first or second platform and the second lobe is deformedthe second lobe does not extend beyond the perimeter of the firstplatform and the perimeter of the second platform.
 2. The isolator ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second lobes displace an equal amountwhen experiencing an equal force.
 3. The isolator of claim 1, furthercomprising a third lobe having a first end and a second end, the firstend interconnected to the perimeter of the first platform, the secondend interconnected to the perimeter of the second platform, and whereinthe third lobe extends radially beyond the perimeter of the firstplatform and the perimeter of the second platform.
 4. The isolator ofclaim 1, wherein the first lobe has a first shape selected from thegroup consisting of a semicircle, a sphere, an egg having a non-uniformradius of curvature, and a shape with one or more linear portions andone or more curved portions, and wherein the second lobe has a secondshape selected from the group consisting of a semicircle, a sphere, anegg having a non-uniform radius of curvature, and a shape with one ormore linear portions and one or more curved portions.
 5. The isolator ofclaim 1, wherein the first lobe is a mirror image of the second lobe. 6.The isolator of claim 1, wherein the first lobe forms a closed loop. 7.The isolator of claim 1, wherein the first lobe and the second lobetogether form a closed loop with a portion of the first platform and aportion of the second platform.
 8. The isolator of claim 1, where thefirst and second lobes deform in a direction toward each other when thefirst and second lobes are subject to loading.
 9. The isolator of claim1, wherein the first and second lobes deform in a direction away fromeach other when the first and second lobes are subject to loading. 10.The isolator of claim 1, further comprising a centerline extendingsubstantially perpendicular to a plane of the first and secondplatforms, wherein the first lobe is completely positioned on one sideof the centerline and the second lobe is completely positioned onanother side of the centerline, and wherein when the isolatorexperiences sufficient loading the first lobe and the second lobe aredisplaced in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of thefirst and second platforms.
 11. The isolator of claim 1, wherein whenthe isolator experiences sufficient loading a portion of the first lobecontacts a portion of the second lobe.
 12. The isolator of claim 1,wherein the first lobe and the second lobe have different shapes. 13.The isolator of claim 1, wherein the first platform, the secondplatform, the first lobe, and the second lobe are a single homogeneousstructure.
 14. An isolator, comprising: a first platform having an outersurface, an inner surface, and a perimeter extending between the outerand inner surfaces; a second platform having an outer surface, an innersurface, and a perimeter extending between the outer and inner surfaces,the second platform spaced from the first platform with the innersurface of the second platform facing the inner surface of the firstplatform; a centerline extending substantially perpendicular to a planeof the first and second platforms; a first lobe having a first endinterconnected to the inner surface of the first platform and a secondend interconnected to the inner surface of the second platform, thefirst lobe positioned on one side of the centerline and spaced inwardlyfrom the perimeter of the first platform, wherein the first lobecomprises: a first linear portion interconnected to the first end andextending substantially perpendicularly from the inner surface of thefirst platform; a second linear portion interconnected to the firstlinear portion and extending substantially perpendicular thereto; aU-shaped portion interconnected to the second linear portion; a thirdlinear portion interconnected to the U-shaped portion and orientedsubstantially parallel to the second linear portion; and a fourth linearportion interconnected to the second end and extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the inner surface of the second platform; a secondlobe having a first end interconnected to the inner surface of the firstplatform and a second end interconnected to the inner surface of thesecond platform, the second lobe positioned on another side of thecenterline and spaced inwardly from the perimeter of the first platform;wherein the first and second lobes are comprised at least partially of adamping material; and wherein when the isolator experiences sufficientloading the first lobe and the second lobe are displaced in a directionsubstantially parallel to the plane of the first and second platforms.15. The isolator of claim 14, further comprising a third lobe having afirst end and a second end, the first end interconnected to theperimeter of the first platform, the second end interconnected to theperimeter of the second platform, and wherein the third lobe extendsradially beyond the perimeter of the first platform and the perimeter ofthe second platform.
 16. The isolator of claim 14, wherein the secondlobe has a shape selected from the group consisting of a semicircle, asphere, an egg having a non-uniform radius of curvature, and a shapewith one or more linear portions and one or more curved portions. 17.The isolator of claim 14, wherein the first lobe and the second lobehave different shapes.
 18. The isolator of claim 14, wherein when theisolator experiences sufficient loading a portion of the first lobecontacts a portion of the second lobe.
 19. The isolator of claim 14,wherein the first platform, second platform, the first lobe, and thesecond lobe are a single homogeneous structure.
 20. The isolator ofclaim 14, wherein the first and second lobes displace an equal amountwhen experiencing an equal force.